Clasp



l`.. JABNER.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 2. 1922.

39435589? IPM-@nm Non IIII, w22.

ATTUH/l/EYS Patented Nov.. lll, 1922.

` LOUIS JABNER,OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

CLASP.

Application filed March 2, 1922. Serial No. 540,503.

To all/whom t may concern: j

,Beit known lthat I,LoUrs JABNER, a citi- ,zen of the United `States, and a resident Mof Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Clasp, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

rThis invention has relation to separable fasteners and reiers more particularly to an improvement in clasps forA detachably coupling the ends of necklaces, bracelets or other 1similar articlescf jewelry.

As one .if its'principal objects the invention aims to provide a clasp which insures a positive locking of the interengageable elements thereof to reduce to a minimum disengagement oi the same and loss of the article with which it is associated.

As a further object the invention aims to provide a simple and inexpensive clasp including interengageable elements which are provided with means to facilitate ready engagement or disengagement oi' the same.

The invention further aims to provide a clasp which may be constructed to provide an extremely minute device of this character without detracting from its strength or holding qualities,

lVith the above recited and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel construction set forth in the following specitication, particularly pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the right is reserved to embodiments other than those actually illustrated herein to the full extent indicated by the general meaning of the terms in which the claims are expressed.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of a clasp convstructed in accordance with the invention with the cover plate removed.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the clasp comprises interengageable male and female members 10 and 11, the i'ormer comprising a pin or shank 12 provided with an eye 13 at one extremity 'for associating thesame with the links or string of a necklace. The latter or female member 11 embodies an outer shell or casing 14 ci' any suitable exterior coniiguration and provided with an open side which is closed by ,a cover .plate 15 adapted to beburnished,

vvided with an enlarged boss 24 from the inner end oit' which a sleeve Section 25 projects in axial `alignment to the sleeve 22. The boss 24'is provided with a transverse opening 26 in which a pair of spherical members or balls 27 are arranged. A coiled contractile spring 28 surrounds the sleeve section 25 and bears at its opposite extremities respectively against the boss 24 and the remaining end member 29 of the frame or yoke member 16. The casing 14 of the female clasp member is provided at the remaining end wall 30 with an eye 31 for attaching said member to the opposite end link of the chain or string of the necklace or bracelet with which the clasp is associated.

ln use and operation of the clasp, the shank or pin 12 of the male member 10 is inserted within the sleeve 22 and sleeve section 25 to separate the balls 27, the sleeve, the sleeve member, boss and balls being moved axially against the action of the spring 28 to ydispose the peripheral surface of the balls toward the center or wider portion of the space defined by the side arms 17. U pon completion of the inserting action, the spring 28 will react and torce the sleeve, the sleeve member, boss and balls in the opposite direction to impinge the periphery of the balls at diametrically opposite points against the inner surface of the side legs of the yoke or frame and against the pin or shank 12 at diametrically opposite points of its periphery. This serves as a positive lock against the withdrawal or removal of the pin or shank 12 from the sleeve and sleeve member. To effect the release of the pin or shank 12, the user or operator presses upon the ears 23 to shift the sleeve and sleeve member axially against the action or" the spring whereby the impingement of the balls against the sides of the shank or pin and the inner surfaces of the side arms 17 is discontinued, leaving the pin or shank free for retraction. To prevent spreading of the converging extremities of the side arms 17, any space between the outer surface of said extremities is. preferably filled by'backing .Y

vwithin .said shell' having an opening 1n the corresponding end registering with the shell opening'f, theyoke] having side arms diverging toward said end, a sleeve extending [through said opening and into the yoke, a

medial boss on said sleeve-having a'transverse opening intersecting the bore of the` sleeve, a pair of lballs arranged in said opening and a spring surrounding the inner end of the sleeve and interposed respectively between the boss and the remaining lend of the yoke for normally exerting a force to shift the sleefvetoward lthe open end of the shell `and force the balls vtoward each other for gripping the shank of the male member when inserted within the sleeve.

v2. A clasp including a male member comprising a shank and a female member com` prising a shell having an opening through one end thereof, a yoke or frame arranged within said shell having an `opening in the corresponding end registering with the shell opening, the yoke having side arms diverging toward said end, asleeve extending through said opening and into the y'oke, a medial boss on said sleeve vhaving a transversefopening intersecting the bore ofthe sleeve, a pair of -balls arranged in said opening vand a spring' surrounding the inner'end of' the' sleeve v'and interposed respectively between the boss and the 'remaining end of the yoke for normally exerting a force to shift the sleeve toward the open end'of the shell land force the balls toward eachother for' gripping the shankv of lthe male member when inserted within the sleeve, and manipvulating ears carried by the outer end of the sleeve for axially shifting the same to comthe male member. p

' y LOUIS JAlzlllR.y

press the 'spring for releasing' the shank of 

